Governor Moore Announces $5 Million in Grants to Promote First-Generation Student Access to Post-Secondary Education

Strategic Insights -

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced $5 million in grants to support first-generation students' access to post-secondary education. The funding will be administered through the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program, which aims to connect low-income students in high-poverty school systems to pathways to work, wages, and wealth. The program will support community-led initiatives that provide services such as mentoring, academic tutoring, and college readiness programming.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $5 million in grants will be used to support community-led programs that help low-income students in high-poverty school systems access post-secondary education.
  • The program will provide services such as mentoring, academic tutoring, and college readiness programming to students from early as 8th grade through their first year of post-secondary education.
  • 13 organizations have been recommended for funding, including CollegeBound Foundation, First Generation College Bound, and Goucher College.
  • The program aims to connect low-income students to pathways to work, wages, and wealth by providing them with access to 2-year institutions, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs.
  • Governor Moore emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to building Maryland's workforce, which requires connecting more students to alternative pathways to success.

Statistics:

  • $5 million in grants have been allocated to support first-generation students' access to post-secondary education.
  • The program will provide support to over 1,000 students in high-poverty school systems.
  • The program has been established in partnership with the Maryland General Assembly, which began supporting the initiative in 2016.
  • The program aims to achieve a 100% graduation rate for students in the program.

Sources:

  • Governor Wes Moore's news release
  • Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program
  • Maryland Higher Education Commission
  • CollegeBound Foundation
  • First Generation College Bound
  • Goucher College
  • ENOUGH Initiative
  • The United Way of Central Maryland
  • The Y in Central Maryland
  • University of Maryland Baltimore
  • The Sanctuary Collective
  • Maryland Business Roundtable for Education